[OPLINTECH] Fwd: Emergency Connectivity Fund Program Newsletter - July 27
Don Yarman
don at oplin.ohio.gov
Tue Aug 3 09:06:08 EDT 2021
Some helpful information about ECF as the time to file counts down.
Don Yarman
Director, Ohio Public Library Information Network
2323 W Fifth Ave Suite 130, Columbus OH 43204
don at oplin.ohio.gov | 614.728.5250
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: USAC <DoNotReply at usac.org>
Date: Tue, Aug 3, 2021 at 8:49 AM
Subject: Emergency Connectivity Fund Program Newsletter - July 27
To: <don at oplin.ohio.gov>
ECF Office Hours Tomorrow
View
<https://view.outreach.usac.org/?qs=206c84dd3aa2bafa97b406174a52f54305df09567ae28a59324f055e7fb651b9971f460bb66dcc7d0f52e603dfbf0f48c1a0de7b2c1dca16ca9693765e79f8a978bed1662ffb623b>
this email as a web page.
[image: USAC Banner]
Emergency Connectivity Fund Program Newsletter
August 3, 2021
ECF Application Window Countdown: 10 Days to Window Close
*Apply Now for Emergency Connectivity Fund Program Support!*
The Emergency Connectivity Fund Program application filing window will be
open for 10 more days! Eligible schools and libraries *must apply by next
Friday, August 13, 2021*. During the current application filing window,
eligible schools and libraries, in addition to consortia of schools and
libraries, can submit requests for funding to purchase eligible equipment
and services between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022 to meet the remote
learning needs of students, school staff, and library patrons who would
otherwise lack access to connected devices and broadband connections
sufficient to engage in remote learning.
Interested schools and libraries can find more information and apply for
support at emergencyconnectivityfund.org
<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=6320b1f2fa932e3d979af1c1cd81895749edccc30db8c4f558bc8aaabbd110177a8232b507f5c737e0b1353256e9b3b10d73a3d55338e75b>
.
*Upcoming FCC webinar and resources*
The FCC will host a webinar
<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=6320b1f2fa932e3dad81554dedd8d87bd55e72995c37b31eec9622c4bad629d1362c0591470660c2d3f17db96e3379e2f971b5a09a0534ec>
*TODAY
at 2 p.m. ET * on fcc.gov/live
<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=6320b1f2fa932e3d716b3f0191c5ddce876deed829022651b6136e871f1b0280b020a4ed4fce4dcf3534c9ba0b5565dc49fa9e273cae5d01>
to
highlight frequently asked questions and answer questions submitted by
potential applicants. No registration is required for this event. The
webinar will be recorded and be available on the FCC’s website
<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=6320b1f2fa932e3d6d10c2a1dd02bb74ea4b7d42717efa18d5db6d45fdd22e1fd08fe58a7eaff1baa2da15d816f12e172e4a893e10555bc9>
for viewing after the event.
The FCC added newly updated resources, including an application process
overview
<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=6320b1f2fa932e3d43f2fc1ed1b24976371242297fbb33cbb9d9c8e2c17ccfd1267a8377c1ed97cc256efb98187f4e28318122be55b14222>
and
a program flyer
<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=6320b1f2fa932e3d4389b104e2395877094071aa5ae074da83817b570a53744c2ffbee2fdee22c262cd06f08fe29349ad99180431ba3e240>
. You may also review additional Frequently Asked Questions about the
Emergency Connectivity Fund Program here
<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=6320b1f2fa932e3dd7d7c51afc112cd68b25d3c3968a9be61bcbb031994e30e98b2e6eaf6695951c2dead54f76d14274f33dc443f9ee94e3>
.
*ECF Portal Training Site*
If you have access to the EPC training environment, USAC will be providing
you with the same access to the new Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF)
Portal training site. This site will allow you to practice filling out the
ECF FCC Form 471. We will be sending you an email with credentials that
have been assigned to you and a password for the ECF Portal training site.
If you do not have an existing account or did not get an email but have an
existing account, please reach out to the Customer Support Center (CSC) with
questions at (800) 234-9781 Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
*Certification Update*
Consistent with the clarification provided by the FCC in a July 22 Public
Notice, USAC is in the process of updating the certification language in
cases where an applicant has not yet ordered equipment or services. The
revised language will read: “[t]he applicant or the relevant student,
school staff member, or library patron has received, or the applicant has
ordered or will order, the equipment and services for which funding is
sought.” Applicants need not delay submitting their applications pending
updated language if they have not yet ordered equipment or services. They
should just make note in the FRN narrative that no order has been placed,
but will be, consistent with the provisions in the July 22 Public Notice.
*Need Help?*
USAC will continue to host weekly office hours
<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=6320b1f2fa932e3d7d763b0df85d469c4908f338a5625e3314d3dfd4326823eeacbe77711453543d309d2adf58d5805300271ab79bd3771a>
where
applicants and service providers can ask questions and get information
about the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program application process. Register
for this week’s office hours session being held this Wednesday, August 4,
2021 and office hours session for tribal applicants being held this
Tuesday, August 3, 2021.
- Tuesday, August 3 @ 4 p.m. ET: Emergency Connectivity Fund Overview
Office Hours for Tribal Applicants - Register
<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=6320b1f2fa932e3dfdf4bb918aae2762cc1c8350bbe42e33db9669ba7f3adcdb2aea5bea3651fbf1990dbe6ae2a6ba82b64221eec5868ae7>
- Wednesday, August 4 @ 3 p.m. ET: Emergency Connectivity Fund Overview
Office Hours – Register
<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=6310f3658dcea6b9105c82b156d8601b10b2970dbe1bce0b4f97f654d6a16293d74ed1204c10dc0f16fadc4f1f738ab29a0147307c6b14d5>
Applicants and service providers can also contact the Emergency
Connectivity Fund Customer Support Center (CSC) with questions at (800)
234-9781 Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
*Training*
USAC offers E-learning modules, including a Program Overview video, an ECF
FCC Form 471 Walkthrough video, and an overview video for Tribal Schools,
Libraries and Consortia to help applicants successfully participate in the
Emergency Connectivity Fund Program.
Visit the Training
<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=6310f3658dcea6b9e70b10a5aebe682925319ed85507192a34bfc0d3e0c96ac68a1c513f3ad71871bc77d8a10d9f3b6441e51ea4cb8f8d77>
section
of the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program website to view trainings,
access E-learning modules, register for office hour sessions, and view
recordings of past trainings and office hours sessions.
Applicants can also find more information regarding the ECF FCC Form 471
here
<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=6310f3658dcea6b94b7bb00a3544996bc03dd2aa4d2b264cbb2ecac0b1c86c836bb1a7771f32ab8e44d70d2739554c5da1e6dbcbb913581b>
on the Program website.
*Frequently Asked Questions*
*Do I need a SAM.gov account if I am an annual E-Rate applicant?*
SAM.gov registration is necessary for all applicants and service providers
that are submitting requests for reimbursement (FCC Forms 472/474) and
receiving funds from the U.S. government. Because this is not currently
required to participate in the E-Rate program, applicants who are planning
to submit requests for reimbursement (FCC Form 472) and have not registered
before should begin the process now. Service providers that agree to
invoice on behalf of applicants also need to be registered with SAM.gov.
ECF applicants whose service providers will file invoices for ECF
reimbursement on their behalf (SPI invoicing) are not required to register
in SAM.gov.
*How should applicants request funding for equipment associated with a
service request (e.g., a $5 monthly fee for a modem or Wi-Fi hotspot
connected to a broadband service)?*
Applicants should work with their service providers to separate the costs
of the equipment from the services and submit them on separate funding
requests.
*Do applicants need to have contracts in advance of submitting an
application for ECF support?*
No, contracts are not required under the ECF Program rules, but applicants
are required to comply with state, local, or Tribal procurement laws or
regulations. Applicants also do not need to have already placed an order
for eligible equipment or services prior to filing an application.
Please see DA 21-881
<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=6310f3658dcea6b91671d47d7dd5e258babc31974f04d38a8f10ee8e7563d2c35b53a7a5977bcf301405a26ee367cba8d0a1b6cb9c588073>
for
more information about the application certification language in 47 CFR
54.1710(a)(1)(x).
*When I request funding for equipment, what do I use as the service end
date in the application?*
For equipment or other non-recurring services that have not been received
when the applicant submits the application, applicants may use June 30,
2022 as the service end date.
Please see DA 21-881
<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=6310f3658dcea6b91671d47d7dd5e258babc31974f04d38a8f10ee8e7563d2c35b53a7a5977bcf301405a26ee367cba8d0a1b6cb9c588073>
for more information about the deadline for invoicing for these
non-recurring purchases.
*It's summer vacation, and I don't know exactly how many students lack
broadband access at home. What should I do?*
At the application stage, schools just need best estimates of their unmet
need to request funding.
When it is time to invoice, schools may only request ECF reimbursement for
services that fulfilled an actual unmet need of a student or staff member,
consistent with the application certification. Schools may also be asked to
provide documentation to support actual costs of services to those students
and staff after funds have been committed.
*Could a school district use the district's National School Lunch Program
(NSLP) percentage, NTIA's "**Indicators of Broadband Need Map*
<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=6310f3658dcea6b9c654c9c5875982f8d470b75b30d64b830076a10e02dcfc8eb2080883e4dbf2198b585f41573e6857fd8acb97c623ee13>
*"
or other publicly available data to provide best estimates on its ECF FCC
Form 471 application, and then collect a certification from students or
staff before seeking reimbursement for the device or service?*
Again, only best estimates of the unmet need are required for schools at
the time they submit their application. It is up to the school to determine
how to estimate need. Schools may also be asked to provide documentation to
support actual costs of assigned equipment and/or services after funds have
been committed. A student or staff certification collected after the
application but before receiving service/equipment may be an appropriate
way to ensure the school is only seeking reimbursement for those students
and staff with unmet need.
*What will school applicants need related to unmet need at the different
stages of the ECF Program process (e.g., application, invoicing, or
audits)?*
At the application stage, schools just need best estimates of their unmet
need. They may use whatever method they deem appropriate for estimating
unmet need and are not required to provide any documentation to support
these estimates when they submit their ECF FCC Form 471 application. Here
is a link to see the unmet need questions for schools on the application: *
www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org/ecf-fcc-form-471/entity-information
<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=6310f3658dcea6b9b18b83bcf84d1ed66b1a8f1d4aeb9fb83e0271b61655c710b2a3db217c2033d67b3216b9b22123d7cc8aef2e0567811b>*
.
When schools file for reimbursement, they should only request reimbursement
for eligible equipment and services provided to students or staff who would
otherwise lack broadband services and/or devices sufficient to engage in
remote learning. For example, if a school requested ECF funding to support
the broadband services at the homes of 100 students based on an estimate of
those that lack services, but it determines during the school year that
only 90 students have unmet need, the school should only seek reimbursement
for the services provided to those 90 students. Schools may also be asked
to provide documentation to support actual costs of assigned equipment
and/or services after funds have been committed.
All applicants should also maintain documentation supporting their
compliance with ECF Program rules.
*What will library applicants need related to unmet need at the different
stages of the ECF Program process (e.g., application, invoicing, or
audits)?*
At the application stage, libraries may request funding for eligible
equipment and services. Like schools, libraries must certify that they are
only seeking support to address unmet need, but are not required to provide
best estimates of unmet needs on their ECF FCC Form 471 applications.
To ensure libraries are providing eligible equipment and services to
patrons with unmet needs, ECF rules require libraries to, on a going
forward basis, provide patrons with a copy of an eligible use policy, which
explains that the equipment or service is intended for library patrons who
do not otherwise have access to equipment or services sufficient to meet
the patrons' educational needs, and patrons must sign and return a
statement saying they would otherwise lack such access. Documentation
supporting these certification statements may be requested to show
compliance with ECF rules.
All applicants should also maintain documentation supporting their
compliance with ECF Program rules.
The FCC continues to update its FAQs as new questions come in. Additional
FAQs are available at: www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund-faqs
<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=6310f3658dcea6b9a5519c296a13cac9866e8922df983af2aa489e7a95006e80058078e913a2b22b68c01197c0a84d0b9e503c2d1e2b80a9>
.
Need Help? Contact Us!
Please contact the Emergency Connectivity Fund Customer Support Center
(CSC) at (800) 234-9781 or create a case in the ECF Portal.
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